How To Support Learners In Overcoming Studying Burnout
Work and school environments have become fast-paced and demanding. There are so many assignments, so many deadlines, and so little time. This overwhelms learners, putting some in a constant state of anxiety. When people are mentally and physically exhausted by enduring long periods of stress, burnout is sure to follow. Fortunately, there are signs that can help you tell if your learners are on the brink of studying burnout. The most obvious symptom is a loss of interest in their performance. Exhausted learners tend to neglect their studies, thus missing lessons, not participating in class, etc. Another sign is the absence of concentration. Burnt-out students lose motivation and are often unable to focus on the course materials, but here are a few ways that you can help your learners avoid educational exhaustion.
5 Ways To Help Your Online Students Steer Clear Of Studying Burnout
1. Appreciate And Encourage Them
Studying burnout can be caused by already existing mental health issues, among other causes. Everyone is unique and experiences the learning experience differently. You should try encouraging your learners to share their individuality by expressing their thoughts and sharing their problems. If you create a trusting environment, students will be more likely to ask for your help with whatever they are facing. Also, express your appreciation towards their efforts by praising them often and acknowledging their work.
2. Enhance The Immersion
Try implementing new technologies to beat the boredom and liven things up. For example, Virtual Reality can provide contextual learning experiences and take students' minds off their troubles. To get them more motivated, try inserting gamification features like a reward system in your VR learning game. Your learners will be more invested in the process without the stress and pressure of a traditional learning environment.
3. Encourage Study-Life Balance
Personal time allows us to recharge and relax. Your students need to have time for themselves, as well, to meet with friends and family, focus on their hobbies, and rest up for the next engaging learning experience. Assign tasks that won't take up too much time to avoid overwhelming them. Create a studying plan for them that prioritizes personal time while also safeguarding the learning experience. You can even launch a microlearning library that gives them the chance to refresh their memory and concentrate on specific subtopics to lighten the cognitive load.
4. Check On Them Frequently
Not everyone assimilates the learning content in the same way. So, make it a common practice to check on your students frequently to see how they’re doing and offer personalized support, if possible. This also allows you to gauge their levels of stress so that you can detect signs of burnout early on. Additionally, your learners will appreciate your concern and be more open to discussing their educational issues or roadblocks in the future.
5. Establish A Day For Group Activities
Establish a day every month, or even more frequently if you notice that burnout is becoming prevalent, to do group activities with your students. You can even do virtual activities, like mystery-solving games and team-building activities. Not only does this give them an opportunity to take a break from the subject matter, but they're able to bond with their peers on a more meaningful level.
Conclusion
As a professional, your role is to help your people build their skills and expand their knowledge base, but what if someone is going through a tough time? We covered some of the causes of studying burnout so you can be more prepared to support your learners. However, the most important sign of support is being there for them. Keep an open line of communication and set up a support network, such as a closed social media group or a peer coaching program. If you feel that lessons are stressing them to the point of exhaustion, encourage them to express their concerns and fears and highlight the importance of them reaching out for help.
The important thing to keep in mind is that studying burnout can affect everyone. A plethora of reasons can contribute to that, like mental health issues, multitasking, pressuring environments, etc. If you notice that someone is losing motivation, is tired all the time, and begins neglecting the learning process, that might mean they suffer from studying burnout.
